Dear Readers,

In our culture and times, we do not have much connection to the sacred or what should instill a sense of respect. For example, stores are open on “holy” days like Sundays. Respectful forms of speech like Mr. and Mrs. are used less and less. It makes me wonder if our casual lifestyle in some way removes us from the concept of holiness. I expect that you will be particularly blessed by studying this wonderful attribute of God. May many fresh insights leap off the page and bring wonder and awe to your hearts!

God is Holy

By Kay Smith and Ruth Wood

What comes to mind when you think of the word holy? Reverence in a hushed cathedral? The self-sacrificing lives of monks and nuns? A revered holy book, like the Jewish Torah? Holiness is a difficult concept, perhaps because it is so foreign, so other to ourselves.

Definition

Webster defines holy as that characterized by perfection and transcendence, commanding absolute adoration and reverence. This definition really helps shine a light on God’s holiness. He is perfect in every way, but holiness especially highlights perfect moral purity. God is not in any way stained by even a hint of pollutants such as selfishness, impatience, or unkindness.

Because God is morally pure, He acts with the utmost moral purity and highest noble intent on our behalf in all circumstances. His moral purity ought to inspire confidence. However, as sinful human beings living in a sinful world, we are easily jaded and cynical, quickly doubting God’s motives.

Seeing

Beholding God in His holiness, we see perfection, we see purity, we see beauty. And when we see, really see, we will be overcome. It happened to Isaiah. When he saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne, with the seraphim calling to one another,

“Holy, holy , holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory,”

he cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Unworthy

Coming face to face with the terrifying holiness of God will make us painfully aware of our unworthiness and our uncleanness. But God has washed us clean in Christ and provided a robe of righteousness. In light of the pristine character of God, how astonishing it is that scriptures says that one day “we shall be like Him.”

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come. (Revelations 4:8b)

©2012 Kay Smith and Ruth Wood. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Published by www.Comfort-Cafe.net. Contact info: ruthywood@gmail.com

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